Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Sucker Punch Crow Hunting Forum -> Crow Hunting Chat -> My red letter day....
Post Info TOPIC: My red letter day....
Zeddicus


Molted Crow

Status: Offline
Posts: 63
Date:
My red letter day....
Permalink  
 

Saturday was a good day.
 
We set up between a Hedge/Treeline in high grass and a field that had been freshly fertilised with cut up vegetable waste from the harvest that had been going on - looking west.  
The evening before we had seen 200+ crows in the immediate area. The flight line (confirmed by my friend) was to the west, sunup in the east (so we sat in the shade for most of the morning).
The blind had a 1/3 roof and a partition between myself and my partner to improve the camouflage.
 
Crows came in in ones twos and small groups of up to 6 from 0620 and never really stopped until 1000. 2/3 came in from behind us, so the main flight line must have shifted.  
As it grew brighter, the crows became more wary and circled before coming in. Some never did - some never got the chance ;) One took to the tree beside the sentinel which was the second last
mistake it ever made. Flying away in the wrong direction was the last...
 
This was the first time hunting with this partner in the blind, I have the feeling though it will not be the last time... In the end we shot 41 crows which is an extrordinary result for germany.
3/4 of the crows were young and inexperienced. I guess the next time it will be harder. We used the Haydel and Sam mouth call and a DIY call I had made. Electronic calls are not allowed here.
 
The pics show the setup of the decoys, the situation in the blind (space was getting scarce) and our result. A second blind that had set up only had six crows. This other team has seen the need for a tighter blind, sentinels and some practice with the calls. All in all, with 47 crows shot in this area this was a good morning for us, the local wildlife and the vegetable farmers.
 
All the best,
Z.
 
And as bonus a pic from my last trip to Ireland. Two rabbits, a pigeon and five Crows....
 


__________________
Zeddicus


Molted Crow

Status: Offline
Posts: 63
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hi there,

The gun in the pic is a 16/70 Webbley&Scott. Barrels are 28" (me thinks), chokes are cyl/imp cyl. It was built in 1979 and weighs 2.7 kg - and I love it ;)

The crowshooting was done with a Franchi Inertia SA. The sentinel is a screaming Avery.

I retrieve the birds to make sure that none lie the wrong way & therefore spook the others, I also wanted them all " in reach" :). I might make some cradles this Winter.
And yes, it was a BLAST ;)

All the best,
Z.

-- Edited by Zeddicus on Tuesday 18th of September 2012 01:24:59 AM

__________________
nhcrowshooter


Molted Crow

Status: Offline
Posts: 58
Date:
Permalink  
 

Looks like it was a nice shoot. I see you were using a side by side, what kind is it, what are it's specifications, gauge, barrel length, chokes etc.

__________________
Splash One


Elusive Crow

Status: Offline
Posts: 312
Date:
Permalink  
 

Sounds like you had a ... BLAST biggrin

I like the setup.... feeders look natural, dead tree is perfect, and the sentry is where a sentry would be.. your sentry looks to be within gun range too, but did you have a lane of fire to it?

I'm curious as to why you retrieve the dead birds from the field? I think most here in America leave our dead amongst the decoys..



__________________

Check out my YouTube channel...ClicK Here 
Gary


Dances With Crows

Status: Offline
Posts: 210
Date:
Permalink  
 

Great job, all I can say is I wish I was there to help.

Observation or question:  I/we do not use a sentry bird as you did in this setup.  The only time you notice a crow in a tree like this one is when he or they suspect danger.  I would suggest not putting the decoy so far away as a sentry but move it closer in within 30 yards of your setup and use it as a decoy taking away the danger sign.



__________________
Zeddicus


Molted Crow

Status: Offline
Posts: 63
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hi Gary,

the sentry is about 12 yds away from the "flock". We have experienced that by using sentinels they come in much better. But you are right, from this angle it does look as if they were far away. I like to have sentinels well within shooting range ;) Some guys here put sentinels on the poles of the blind. Others say, it draws the attention to the blind.

What's your opinion/experience?


__________________
Gary


Dances With Crows

Status: Offline
Posts: 210
Date:
Permalink  
 

Sorry, my mistake.  I guess the picture distorts the distance. Any time you can draw attention away from your blind so you can get away with minor movement that is a plus.  I suppose not in all your setups you have trees around.  If so though, I would put as many decs on limbs as possible not on poles.  Poles do get them much higher I suppose, but ole Mr. Crow will and can see the decs just as well on the tree limbs and they look more realalistic. BUT, if poles work in your world use poles!



__________________
Zeddicus


Molted Crow

Status: Offline
Posts: 63
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hi Gary, some people here put sentinels right on the poles on the blind. The loic behind: If a sentinel sits there, how han it be dangerous?? Any thoughts on that?


__________________
Gary


Dances With Crows

Status: Offline
Posts: 210
Date:
Permalink  
 

A bird sitting on a pole would not normally be a danger sign, but, you have to remember you are constently playing/blowing fight calls and that puts all members on alert.  BUT, like I said before if it works in your world, by all means use it.  There is probably no wrong either way.  Happy Hunting!



__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Sucker Punch Crow Hunting Forum -> Crow Hunting Chat -> My red letter day....


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard